Idyllic Thoughts

The law locks up the hapless felon Who steals the goose from off the common, But lets the greater felon loose Who steals the common from the goose. --Anonymous, England, 1821 Just felt like sharing. I remember this when I see everyday that thieves, pick-pockets, small-time burglars are locked up while the greater felons travel in considerable security surrounded by well-wishers to temples, mutts, resorts and abroad. Recognise anyone? Oh! there is a multitude of them around us! We watch through hapless eyes when thieves are warned of being shot-at-sight and rapists, murderers, terrorists, scamsters are let go with crocodile tears in their eyes and fake heart conditions.

While reading our Editor's article on Girish Karnad and UR Ananthamurthy, I remembered reading URA's Samskara a long time ago. I was at an impressionable age and was awed by all the books I read. Even then, Samskara failed to impress me; in fact, it was like swallowing a mouthful of bad smell suddenly. I regretted reading it after managing to finish it somehow, because I never left even a bad book unfinished. This is my personal opinion and it was not because of caste reasons. I do not know the criteria for Jnanpith , but his other works may have been the reason for the award.